IRA

This is Ira, our not-quite-two-year-old, youngest grandchild.

I just spent 5 days with him and what a treat that was.

I may be prejudice but I think he is the smartest, cutest, and funnest almost two-year-old around.

This kid is coordinated like no other kid his age. He can work in the garden helping his dad shovel, pull weeds, and pick vegetables. He is a pro. He can feed the chickens and gather the eggs. And he can swing a bat professionally and hit the ball on a tee made by his father, just his size, almost every swing. He can feed himself and make very little mess, that is unless you leave him there too long and he starts playing with his food.

And speaking about eating, I have never seen a kid this age eat so well. He eats fruits and vegetables, fresh and cooked, and loves them. I saw him eat a small bowl of grapes, a slice of apple, and a whole banana in one sitting. He loves all the other healthy foods too. He loves hummus. Hummus is a Levantine Arab[1] dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is a popular food throughout the Middle East and elsewhere. It is good for you and makes a pretty good snack. Ira likes to dip crackers in it. But he doesn't need too many crackers. He usually licks off the hummus and then dips for more.

Ira has his own language right now. He hardly ever says "yes", instead he says "oh". He loves to say "no" though. In fact he tries out "no" on everything until he realizes he may want what is being offered, so then he switches to "oh". He calls all food "Gookie" and all fruit is "apple". All drink is called "water". And, by the way, this kid drinks a lot of water. I have never seen a kid this age drink water so well.

Ira has one thing that is not anything to brag about and that is he refuses to take naps. So whenever he gets in a car he is tired and goes right to sleep. All naps are taken in his car seat. And you have to hope that it isn't too late in the day or else you will be playing with him until late. But that isn't so bad since he is so fun to play with. One day while I was there we decided to see if he would take a nap while watcing his favorite movie, "Monsters Inc.". So I sat by him and he laid on my lap and watched the entire movie without sleeping. Guess who did do a little sleeping.

Ira gives great kisses. He is a very loving kid. He warms my heart. I love this boy.

In this picture above, Ira is checking for eggs and feeding the chickens.

In this picture he was climbing on the television that went out while I was there and had been put on the floor to be taken out. In all the time I was there Ira did a lot of climbing, but I do not remember one time that he fell. He is very coordinated, as I said.



This picture was taken right after bath time and he was having Elmo sing a song for me. Ira knows the words to a lot of songs and can do actions that go with them. I think his favorite is "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree."

So this is Ira. I am sure there will be a lot more to say about him as he grows. He is going to have a brother or sister in January. He knows there is a baby in his mother's stomach. He also thinks that his Dad, Me, and even himself, has babies in their tummies.
What a cute kid. I miss him already.
Love you Ira
Grandma

I LOVE Autumn

This is my favorite time of the year. It is not hot. It is not cold. I can get weeds out and they don't come back. My lawn grows slower. But it is still green. I still have to water things, but not as much. My fall flowers will be blooming and they are BEAUTIFUL. The days aren't quite so long so I see my hubby more. He isn't as stressed with putting up hay because the hay grows slower. My power bill is less. I can work out in my yard longer in the morning's because it is cooler. I love working in my yard. I just LOVE this time of year.

Heartaches

I don't know how to describe the ache in my heart. It isn't necessary to feel this way. My brain tells me not to. My logic knows I don't need to. But when your child comes close to death your heart takes over your brain and logic. He is OKAY. But the fact that he could be the opposite has unsettled me.
My missionary son was hit by a car on Wednesday. He was riding his bike through an intersection and a man ran the stop sign and hit him. He was thrown up on the hood and windshield of the car. Then rolled off into the street among the traffic. But not only does my heart feel frozen from the fear, a bigger feeling of gratefulness is taking over. I will thank my Heavenly Father every day for the life of my son. Not only his life, but he is virtually unhurt. Just bruised. Really a miracle. So the ache isn't just from shock and fear, it is from love and thankfulness.